President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has issued a strong warning against efforts to stoke sectarian conflict in Syria, following recent clashes between Damascus’ forces and remnants of the former regime.
Speaking at the Justice and Development Party (AKP) parliamentary group meeting on March 12, Erdoğan cautioned against attempts to ignite new unrest based on sectarian lines, referring to the ongoing turmoil in Syria following the revolution of Dec. 8.
“A spark of unrest based on sectarian grounds is being attempted in Syria where 14 years of oppression have been ended with the revolution of Dec. 8,” Erdoğan stated.
Rising Violence in Syria and Türkiye’s Concerns
The warning comes in response to a major escalation in Syria, where on March 10, Damascus’ Defense Ministry announced the completion of military operations against militants linked to the Assad regime in coastal areas. The clashes, which began on March 6, resulted in over 1,000 deaths, including members of the Alawite minority, raising concerns over potential revenge killings.
Erdoğan condemned what he described as “terrorist acts by remnants of the old regime,” arguing that certain groups are attempting to manipulate the situation to incite division. He also criticized the provocative narratives regarding civilian casualties, asserting that such rhetoric aims to create chaos in Türkiye.
“Through provocative politics, hate speech, and deceptive distortions, an effort is being made to instigate a new problem and an area of chaos in Türkiye,” Erdoğan remarked.
Türkiye’s Role as a Peace Mediator
During his speech, Erdoğan underscored Türkiye’s position as a key diplomatic actor, reinforcing its role as a stabilizing force in the region.
“We have transformed Türkiye into an epicenter of peace diplomacy,” he declared.
His remarks followed the recent agreement between Syria’s government and the YPG-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which outlines the integration of the SDF into Damascus’ security and administrative structures.
Türkiye considers the YPG an offshoot of the PKK, which Ankara designates as a terrorist organization. Erdoğan called for the full implementation of the March 10 agreement, stating that it would contribute to Syria’s security and peace.
“The real winners will be all of our Syrian brothers,” he added.
Türkiye’s Domestic Political Dialogue
On the domestic front, Erdoğan also addressed ongoing discussions regarding the PKK’s ceasefire and the resolution process in Türkiye. The Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) has begun talks with political parties, including the ruling AKP and its ally, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), to build consensus on the matter.
When asked whether he would meet with a DEM Party delegation, Erdoğan responded positively, confirming that his colleagues would engage with them, and that he was open to a direct meeting if requested.
“My friends will meet with them. If a request for an appointment is made, I will give it,” he stated.
The DEM Party is expected to meet with AKP and MHP representatives on March 17, continuing a dialogue process that was originally initiated by MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli in October 2024.